Stackable storage bin with interlock

ABSTRACT

Storage bins or like articles, each having a storage compartment and an upstanding back member, are designed to be vertically stacked on top of one another with the upstanding back member of one bin extending into the transverse slot in another bin. Interlocking means in the form of a keyway and pin arrangement are provided to positively lock the stacked bins together so as to permit them to be carried as a unit.

United States Patent 1191 Joyce 1 Oct. 22, 1974 STACKABLE STORAGE BINWITH HNTERLOCK [76] Inventor: James E. Joyce, 878 Darien Cir.,

Rochester, Mich. 48063 221 Filed: Aug.l1,1972 211 Appl. No; 279,916

[52} 10.5. C1 211/126, 206/509, 206/510 [51] lnt. C1...... A471 3/14,865d 21/00, A47j 47/00 [58] Field of Searchm" 220/97 R, 97 B, 97 D,23.6;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,511,949 6/1950 Simon312/111 X 2,660,271 11/1953 Hupp 287/103 A x 3,002,650 10/1961 Lovell220/D1G. 15 3,018,918 1/1962 Tapper 220/41 3,169,813 2/1965 Cannon eta1. 1 211/126 3,581,906 6/1971 Joyce 220/97 R 3,606,94 9/1971 Joyce220/97 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 336,474 4/1959 Switzerland2211/18 Primary Examiner-William 1. Price Assistant Examiner-Joseph Man-Fu Moy Attorney, Agent, or FirmThomas N. Young [57] ABSTRACT Storagebins or like articles, each having a storage compartment and anupstanding back member, are designed to be vertically stacked on top ofone another with the upstanding back member of one bin extending intothe transverse slot in. another bin. Interlocking means in the form of alceyway and pin arrangement are provided to positively lock the stackedbins together so as to permit them to be carried as a unit.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures I STACKABLE STORAGE BIN WITH INTERLOCKINTRODUCTION This invention relates to stackable storage bins and thelike and more particularly to a means for positively interconnecting thebins in the stacked condition to permit two or more stacked bins to becarried as a unit.

US. Pat. No. 3,207,321 granted to James E. Joyce on Sept. 2l, 1965discloses a storage bin which may be stacked with another similarstorage bin to form a vertically stacked array which is self supportingand which provides convenient access to the contents of each bin in thestack. In general, each bin includes a bottom, front, and rear walls andsidewalls to form an open-top storage compartment. The bin is furtherprovided with an upstanding back member which is essentially a verticalextension of the back of the bin. Finally, there is formed along thebottom rear of each bin a downwardly opening laterally-extending slot.This slot is adapted to receive the upstanding back member of anotherbin into a telescopic relation therewith to provide the self-supporting,vertically-stacked array.-

In accordance with the present invention, two or more such bins, when inthe stacked condition, may be conveniently transported as a unit in sucha way as to prevent disengagement of the bins should the uppermost binbe grasped for transportation purposes. In general, this is accomplishedby providing locking means for positively interconnecting the binswhereby the stacked array may be transported as a unit simply bygrasping the uppermost bin in the array. I

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each bin is provided withone or more vertically spaced keyways and rearwardly extending pins, thekeyways being adapted to receive in locking engagement therewith thepins on the back member of the next lower bin in a stacked array. Thekeyway is formed in such a way as to provide a vertical opening and alaterally-extending slide area so as to receive the pins when stackingthe bins and to permit the interlock to be positively en gaged simply bysliding one bin laterally relative to the other. This interlocking meansis readily engaged and disengaged and is easily formed as an integralpart of the bin.

As described in more detail hereinafter, the bin of the presentinvention is preferably formed by injection molding a suitable polymericmaterial such as polystyrene and, for lightness of weight and rigidity,the rear wall of the bin is formed in a recessed and ribbed designwherein the keyways represent an extension of .a continuous peripheralrib and the rearwardly extending pins are integrally molded onto theupstanding back member in vertically spaced relation to the keyways.Moreover, the pins are formed with central and axial openings or holestherethrough so as to permit the bins to be easily suspended on commonpegboard hooks or the like. Finally, each bin is preferably formed withan elongated opening in the upstanding back member and having aperipheral rib so as to permit the fingers of ones hand to be readilyinserted through the elongated hole for grasping and-transporting thebin and/or the interlocked stack of bins permitted by the presentinvention.

The various features and advantages of the present invention will becomemore apparent upon reading the following specification which-describes apreferred embodiment in detail and which is to be taken with theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage bin embodying all of thefeatures and advantages of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view with parts in cross section of a pair of stackedbins, each similar to the bin of FIG. I; and,

FIG. 3 is a partial rear view of the stacked bins of FIG. 2.

Describing the specific embodiment in detail with reference with FIG. 1,a storage bin 10 of injection molded polystyrene is shown to comprise agenerally box-like bin or storage portion including a floor 12, a frontwall 14, sidewalls l6, and a rear wall 18. The storage portion may beinternally subdivided as desired by separate or integral web-likedividers 20. Storage bin 10 further comprises an upstanding back member22 of ribbed design .for carrying out the objectives of the presentinvention relating to the stacking of bins, the interlocking of stackedbins, the manual grasping of bins, and the hanging support of bins bymeans of pegboard hooks and the like.

Describing the back member 22 in greater detail, it can be seen in FIG.1 that four vertically-extending and laterally-spaced strengthening ribs24, 26, 28, and 30 are integrally securred along their lengths to therear wall 18 of the storage bin 10. In addition, the strengthening ribs24, 26, 28, and 30 are integrally secured at their opposite ends to acontinuous peripheral rib 32 which extends completely around the outsideedge of the back member 22 and which along the lower length thereofdefines substantially L-shaped keyways 34 and 36. The rear wall 18 hasformed therein a laterallyextending and rearwardly projecting step 38which defines on the interior thereof a laterally-extending slot 40 ofapproximately 1 inch in vertical height and threeeights of an inch indepth. Slot 40 is, thus, defined by the lowermost extension 42 of therear wall 18 and the rearwardly stepped portion 38 of the back wall 18as shown in FIG. 1. Slot 40 is open at the laterallyopposite ends andextends fully across the width of the bin 10.

Rear wall 18 of the bin 10 is also rearwardly stepped along the upperedge of the back member 22 to define a first shallow step 44 and asecond and uppermost step 46 of greater vertical dimension. Step 44defines a narrow, laterally-extending slot 48 to receive a lid (notshown) and step 46 operates to thin out the depth of the back member 22along the upper end thereof. The depth of the back member 22 over theextent of the step 46 is just under three-eighths of an inch whereby theupper portion of the back member 22 readily but snugly fits into theslot 40 of another similar bin for stacking purposes.

Between strengthening ribs 24 and 26 and integral withthe step 46 is arearwardly extending cylindrical pin 50 having a key-shaped centralopening 52 extending fully therethrough from front to back. Pin 50 isvertically aligned with the lefthandmost portion of the keyway 34 and isof a diameter which is slightly less than the diameter of the roundedlefthand portion of keyway 34 as seen in FIG. 1. In a similar fashion, acylindrical pin 54 is disposed on step 46 between strengthening ribs 28and 30 and is vertically aligned with the lefthandmost portion of keyway36. Pin 54 is also provided with a key-shaped, axially opening or hole56.

Looking now to FIGS. 2 and 3, it can be seen that the function of thekeyways 34 and 36 and the pins 50 and 54 is to provide a positiveinterlock between a pair of identical bins l and To accomplish theinterlocked stacking relationship, the bin 10 is placed on top of thebin 10 with the back member 22 extending telescopically up into the slot40 of bin 10' and with the rearwardly projecting pins 50 and 54 alignedwith the opening of the vertically aligned keyways. The back member 22is pushed into the slot 40 until the pins are fully into the keywayswhereupon bin 10 is caused to slide transversely of bin 10 to move thepins 50 and 54 into the lefthandmost or inner portions of the keyways 34and 36, respectively, as seen in F IG. 1. The fact that the bins arelaterally offset until the pins are locked in helps prevent accidentalseparation of stacked bins by clearly indicating to the observer thelocked and unlocked conditions. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, theperipheral rib 32, as it forms the keyway 34, has a small locking nib 35molded thereon to effectively lock the pin of the next lower bin inplace. Similarly, a nib 37 is formed just inside keyway 36 to lock thepin of the next lower bin in place in the keyway. FIG. 3 shows the upperbin 10' with the nib 37' in operative engagement with the pin 54 of thebin 10. Clearly, three or more bins may be stacked on top of one anotherand interlocked in the fashion shown.

As shown in FIG. 2, the pins 50 and 54 are of greater dimension alongthe depth of the bin 10, from front to back, than the back member 22,such that the pins project rearwardly beyond the edge of the peripheralrib 32 and into the keyways of the bins with which they are interlocked.In addition, it will be noted that strengthening ribs 24 and 30 areprovided with rearwardly extending tabs 58 and 60 of equal dimensionaldepths to that of the pins 50 and 54. Accordingly, the rear of the bin10 may be placed flush against a vertical surface, the pins 50 and 54and the tabs 58 and 60 making contact with the surface when so placed.

Finally, the bin 10 is provided between the strengthening ribs 26 and 28and along the step 46 with an elongated closed rib 62 which is securedto the ribs 26 and 28 and to the step 46 to permit the fingers of one shand to be slipped through the opening provided thereby for the purposeof grasping the bin for transportation thereof.

It will be appreciated that the construction of the bin 10 as shownhererin provides the features of stackability whereby the bins 10 may beplaced on top of one another in stacked relationship while stillaffording access to the contents thereof because of the vertical spacingwhich is evident in FIG. 2. In addition, the pins and keyways which havebeen described above provide positive interlocks which permit the binsto be carried together as a unit when in the stacked relationship. Thisinterlocked condition is readily and easily afforded by means of asimple insertion of the pins 50 and 54 into the keyways 36 and 34,respectively, and a lateral sliding motion of the bins. In addition, thedesign of the bin 10, described above, provides for the hanging of thebin 10 or a combination of stacked and interlocked bins by means of theholes 52 and 56 in the pins 50 and 54, respectively, such holes beingdesigned to readily accommodate pegboard hooks, nails, etc. Finally, thedesign of the back member 22 is such as to provide lightweight andreduced material requirements'along with high rigidity, structuralstrength, and long life.

It will be understood that the invention has been described withreference to a specific embodiment and that various additions andmodification thereto may be made.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A storage bin or like article comprising the integral combination ofa bin portion having a bottom, a rear wall, and a back member extendingvertically above and defining a vertical continuation of said back wall,a vertical slot extending laterally across the bin to accommodate theupper portion of the back member of a similar bin whereby two or morebins may be disposed in a vertically-stacked array with the back memberof a lower bin extending upwardly into the vertical slot of the nextupper bin, and means for positively interconnecting the bins forpermitting said stacked array to be carried as a-unit, said means forpositively interconnecting the bin including a projecting member on theupper portion of the back member of each bin and receiving meansadjacent the slot of each bin, said projecting member and said receivingmeans being cooperable only when the back member of one bin projectsinto the vertical slot of another bin to lock the bins together upon apredetermined degree of relative lateral displacement therebetween.

2. The article defined in claim 1 wherein said means for positivelyinterconnecting the bins comprises a pair of rearwardly-extendingcylindrical pins on said back member adjacent the upper edge thereof anda pair of L-shaped keyways formed in said back member rearwardly of saidslot and being substantially vertically aligned with said pins and ofsuch dimension as to accommodate the pins of a next lower bin into apositively locked association therewith.

3. An article as defined in claim 2 wherein said back member comprises acontinuous peripheral rib extending completely around the periphery ofsaid back member and defining said keyways, and a plurality ofvertically-extending strengthening ribs disposed between and integralwith said peripheral rib and said back wall of said bin portion.

4. An article as defined in claim 3 including an elongated openingdisposed in said back member adjacent the upper edge thereof and betweena pair of strengthening ribs to permit the bin to be manually graspedand carried.

5. An article as defined in claim 3 wherein said pins include an axialhole extending therethrough to permit said bin to be suspended from ahook or the like.

6. An article as defined in claim 4 wherein said back member comprises arearward step between said back wall and said peripheral rib to definesaid verticallyextending slot.

7. An article as defined in claim 1 wherein the entire article is formedof injected molded polystyrene.

8. An article as defined in claim 2 including in each of said keyways alocking nib to provide interference to the removal of the pin of one binfrom fully within the keyway of another bin.

9. An article as defined in claim 2 wherein the vertical alignment ofthe pins and keyways is such that stacked bins are vertically alignedonly when locked together by way of the pins of one bin and the keywaysof another.

1. A storage bin or like article comprising the integral combination ofa bin portion having a bottom, a rear wall, and a back member extendingvertically above and defining a vertical continuation of said back wall,a vertical slot extending laterally across the bin to accommOdate theupper portion of the back member of a similar bin whereby two or morebins may be disposed in a vertically-stacked array with the back memberof a lower bin extending upwardly into the vertical slot of the nextupper bin, and means for positively interconnecting the bins forpermitting said stacked array to be carried as a unit, said means forpositively interconnecting the bin including a projecting member on theupper portion of the back member of each bin and receiving meansadjacent the slot of each bin, said projecting member and said receivingmeans being cooperable only when the back member of one bin projectsinto the vertical slot of another bin to lock the bins together upon apredetermined degree of relative lateral displacement therebetween. 2.The article defined in claim 1 wherein said means for positivelyinterconnecting the bins comprises a pair of rearwardly-extendingcylindrical pins on said back member adjacent the upper edge thereof anda pair of L-shaped keyways formed in said back member rearwardly of saidslot and being substantially vertically aligned with said pins and ofsuch dimension as to accommodate the pins of a next lower bin into apositively locked association therewith.
 3. An article as defined inclaim 2 wherein said back member comprises a continuous peripheral ribextending completely around the periphery of said back member anddefining said keyways, and a plurality of vertically-extendingstrengthening ribs disposed between and integral with said peripheralrib and said back wall of said bin portion.
 4. An article as defined inclaim 3 including an elongated opening disposed in said back memberadjacent the upper edge thereof and between a pair of strengthening ribsto permit the bin to be manually grasped and carried.
 5. An article asdefined in claim 3 wherein said pins include an axial hole extendingtherethrough to permit said bin to be suspended from a hook or the like.6. An article as defined in claim 4 wherein said back member comprises arearward step between said back wall and said peripheral rib to definesaid vertically-extending slot.
 7. An article as defined in claim 1wherein the entire article is formed of injected molded polystyrene. 8.An article as defined in claim 2 including in each of said keyways alocking nib to provide interference to the removal of the pin of one binfrom fully within the keyway of another bin.
 9. An article as defined inclaim 2 wherein the vertical alignment of the pins and keyways is suchthat stacked bins are vertically aligned only when locked together byway of the pins of one bin and the keyways of another.